The days were peaceful for two days; the Immortal Market patrols did not come again.
The deadline for the high-interest loan repayment had already passed halfway, and Pei Liang hesitated for a long time, but still decided not to rush to run away.
It wasn't that his ideological awareness was high, but that he could no longer leave the Immortal Market.
With two groups of people watching him, as soon as he stepped out of the Immortal Market, he would become a "meat patty," to be divided and eaten by others!
One frustrating thing after another, Pei Liang couldn't even sleep soundly during the day!
"Fellow Daoist Pei, an urgent matter in the Jianghu!"
That afternoon, Chen Long, with a pair of panda eyes, burst in.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, you seem to be in high spirits. What urgent matter requires my help?" Pei Liang glanced at him, also a bit surprised.
"Fellow Daoist Pei, don't joke. Do I look like I'm in high spirits?" Chen Long pointed to his deep dark circles, revealing a bitter expression, "Fellow Daoist, can you help me out?"
Pei Liang was immediately startled, "You went through life and death, and in just a few days, you've exhausted everything at Yi Hong Courtyard?"
Chen Long sighed, "Don't even mention it. This trip was supposed to be fruitful, but who knew that when I was nearing the Immortal Market, I encountered a group of rogue Cultivators? Not only did I lose my valuables, but I almost lost my life! After having a good time at Yi Hong Courtyard, I realized I didn't have enough money! Fellow Daoist Pei, please help me out!"
Pei Liang shrank back, "Fellow Daoist Chen, look at my deserted little shop. What do I have to help you with? Why don't you go ask Old Man Fang..."
"I just went, the old guy isn't home!" Chen Long immediately looked distressed.
"Fellow Daoist Chen, forgive me, I want to help, but I'm short on Spirit Stones!"
He himself was still deeply in debt, how could he afford to help others?
Watching Chen Long's desolate figure leave, Pei Liang once again gained a deep understanding of Yi Hong Courtyard's power to drain wealth.
That moment of fleeting pleasure exchanged for arduous toil, he wondered if it was worth it.
However, what he cared about more was that rogue Cultivators actually appeared at the Immortal Market entrance?
Had they become so rampant?
...
Yunluo Immortal Market, Fu Bao Pavilion.
Shen Fu and two young Cultivators were led into the inner hall.
An aged Elder sat at the head of the inner hall.
Shen Fu and the two others bowed in salute.
"Greetings, Elder Liu!"
Fu Bao Pavilion was the property of the Liu Family, one of the five Foundation Establishment Families.
The Elder in charge there was Liu Ming, a Cultivator at the Refining Qi Late Stage, and one of the few second-rank Talisman Makers in the Immortal Market.
He could be considered among the lowest-ranked group of people in Yunluo Immortal Market.
Liu Ming stared at the three below, expressionless, unable to tell if he was satisfied or not.
Fu Bao Pavilion had a set procedure for selecting Talisman Makers, and for these three to stand out from it was enough to show that they had a certain talent.
The only regret was that all three had Low Grade Spiritual Root Aptitude, with not much future development.
Silently sighing, Liu Ming spoke, "Once you enter the doors of Fu Bao Pavilion, you must abide by the rules of Fu Bao Pavilion!"
"There's a three-month probation period. If you don't meet the standards, then don't blame my Fu Bao Pavilion for being heartless!"
Shen Fu and the two others repeatedly said "Yes."
After meeting the Elder, they were taken to a side hall to sign a contract.
Joining Fu Bao Pavilion was equivalent to selling oneself to the Liu Family.
There were fixed quotas for tasks every year.
If achieved, they could earn extra Spirit Stones with their craftsmanship; if not, they would face certain punishments.
Failing to deliver tasks for three consecutive years would result in expulsion from Fu Bao Pavilion.
Fu Bao Pavilion provided them with Materials and cultivated their skills, so how could it not expect a return?
After a series of procedures, the three received their Fu Bao Pavilion identity tokens, and their faces immediately showed a spirited and proud expression.
"Fellow Daoists, as fellow Talisman Makers of Fu Bao Pavilion today, why don't we go to Flying Star Tower to celebrate with a drink?"
"Such great joy, we must celebrate!" Another person clenched his fists tightly.
Shen Fu hesitated for a moment, then nodded with a smile.
From this moment on, they were no longer homeless, precarious Loose Cultivators.
Instead, they were official Talisman Makers, enjoying the treatment of Fu Bao Pavilion, and thus held a respected status in the Immortal Market.
The three laughed as they walked out, no longer humble commoners!
In the Smoky Lane, inside the Talisman shop, Pei Liang's face showed a hint of relief.
After waiting for a long time, he finally had a Clone making progress.
Upon receiving the news from Shen Fu, he eagerly transferred his consciousness to him.
The entire scene and images appeared in his mind like a live broadcast, and he saw everything.
Although he was still a worker, at least he was on the official roster.
With a good start, he no longer had to worry about food and drink!
With an uncontrollable smile on his face, he checked on the other two Clones.
Xi Wang had already reached the Xuan Yu Sect territory, but it wasn't the time for the Sect to recruit Disciples. To join the Xuan Yu Sect, he would have to find another way.
As for Shen Dan, he had already been rejected twice by the Alchemy workshop. Following the principle of being thick-skinned and pushing hard, he had already started planning his third attempt.
"You two, keep up the good work!" Pei Liang encouraged them and also informed them about Shen Fu joining Fu Bao Pavilion.
Autonomous Clones could not interact with each other; information could only be transmitted through the Master.
The difficult life had finally taken a turn for the better, and the future would surely be brilliant!
Walking to the front hall, Pei Liang looked at the small Talisman shop and became increasingly satisfied.
Once Shen Fu's Talisman Dao improved, the Master would be able to synchronously Master his Talisman making skills. In the future, his own small shop would have more and more types of Spirit Talismans, and business would naturally get better!
No one helps me with my lofty aspirations; I will tread through snow to the mountain peak myself!
Just as Pei Liang was full of joy, a square-faced Cultivator walked into the small shop.
"Boss, do you have Golden Light Talismans for sale here?"
Pei Liang was startled, collected his thoughts, and looked at the newcomer. He wore a plain robe, had firm facial contours, and the light in his eyes was similar to Chen Long's—one could tell he was a person who had fought for many years!
"Yes, I do, but my shop's craftsmanship isn't refined, so they are only Low Grade quality!"
"No problem, let me see two!"
Pei Liang handed over five, "One Spirit Stone for five."
The person took them, examined them for a moment, then pulled out a Spirit Stone and placed it on the counter, "I'll take the Spirit Talismans!"
He took the Spirit Talismans but did not leave, instead, he started chatting with Pei Liang about everyday things.
"Boss, how long has this shop been open?"
"At least ten years!"
"How's business?"
"In recent months, you are the first customer!"
"The shopkeeper certainly has patience!" The man chuckled, "Then I won't disturb you anymore!"
"Please take care!"
Pei Liang smiled broadly as he saw him out.
Today was indeed a good day; not only did a Clone get on the roster, but the small shop also opened for business, earning its first Spirit Stone in a month.
However, why would an adventurous Cultivator at the Qi Refining Middle Stage be interested in his small shop's Low Grade Spirit Talismans?
The square-faced man walked out of the Talisman shop and did not rush to leave. He wandered aimlessly for a while, even going to Old Man Fang next door to look at his inferior Magical Artifacts.
Finally, he walked to a corner of an alley where two other Cultivators with similarly cold eyes stood.
"How is it? Is it this Talisman shop?"
"The Spirit Talismans are correct; this quality is what that person used!"
"This is the only Spirit Talisman shop in Smoky Lane, it must be him!"
"What should we do now?"
"I observed the surroundings of that Talisman shop; it's relatively quiet. The neighbor on the left isn't home, and the one on the right is an old man at Qi Refining Third Stage, nothing to worry about!"
"So, do we capture him or kill him?"
"If we capture him, we probably won't get anything out of him. It's better to just kill him and then turn the place upside down. If it's there, it's there; if not, then it's not here!"
"No time to lose, let's act tonight!"